UKE-WAZA
Blocking Techniques (Illustrations)
Two-Hand Blocks
Foot and Leg Blocking Techniques (ASHI-UKE-WAZA)
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
UKE-WAZA (Blocking Techniques)
UKE-WAZA (Blocking Techniques)
The Purposes of Blocking
1. To discourage further attack
A powerful block causing intense pain to the opponent's attacking arm or leg can deter him from further attack. In this way, the block itself becomes an attack.
2. To deflect an attack
A well-placed block with only enough force can misdirects the opponent's force. This kind of block does not attempt to stop the blow; in fact, the momentum of the opponent's forward movement is finally changed to your advantage.
3. To unbalance an opponent
A good block is not only changing the direction of the attacking arm/leg but also shifting the opponent's balance until he loses his center of gravity (this can also be done by catching and pulling him after blocking). As the opponent attempts to regain his balance, your counterattack, even though not as powerful as his attack, will be very effective.
4. To block and attack
It is possible to block and counterattack at the same time. Delay will give the opponent a chance to develop another attack.
5. To withdraw
After blocking, one can take a position of safety until there is an opportunity for counterattack. However, this is not the real purpose of karate blocking.
Note—
-Body movement alone (dodging/evasion, weight shifting, hip twisting) without blocking action can avoid the opponent' attack and follow simultaneously by a counterattack.
-A karate attack before the opponent' attack can fully materialize, therefore “beating him to the punch”.
Main Points—
1. Direction of Attacking Force
It is impossible to block without first having accurately assessed the path of the attack. Basically, deflect the attack by blocking: (1) from underneath upward (e.g. Age-Uke), if the attack is to the face, (2) from inside outward (e.g. Uchi-Uke) or from outside inward (e.g. Soto-Uke), if the attack is to the chest, and (3) Sweeping downward and outward (e.g. Gedan-Barai), if the attack is to the abdomen.
2. Forearm Rotation and Timing
Merely hitting the attacking arm is comparatively weak. Rotating the forearm of the blocking arm make the block stronger, and good timing is critical.
3. Hip Rotation
Rotating the hips is as much a part of blocking as it is of punching. Block and finish with the hips, withdrawing the other arm at the same time that the block is made.
4. Position of the Elbow
An effective block depends on concentrating all body power in the forearm at the moment of contact. When the elbow is touching the body, the power is greatest, but this tends reduce the scope of the block. Depending on the situation, the elbow should be neither too close nor too far from the side of the body― in principle, at a distance about equal to the width of the fist.
5. Effects of Overblocking
Overblocking results in loss of balance, loss of tension in the side muscles, reduction of body control and difficulty in executing follow-up techniques. It is necessary to learn the appropriate position for each blocking techniques.
6. Block-Attack
Besides the option of inhibiting further attacks by blocking with great force, there are several techniques that in themselves become finishing blows (e.g. Tsuki-Uke, Fumikomi-Uke...).
Basic Blocking Techniques
There are five basic blocking techniques which the beginners have to learn. They are:
GEDAN-BARAI (Downward Block)
JODAN-AGE-UKE (Upper Rising Block)
CHUDAN-SOTO-UKE (Middle-Area Outside Inward Block)
CHUDAN-UCHI-UKE (Middle-Area Inside Outward Block
CHUDAN-SHUTO-UKE (Middle-Area Sword Hand Block)
Résumé Table: UKE-WAZA (Blocking Techniques)
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
UCHI-WAZA (Striking Techniques)
UCHI-WAZA (Striking Techniques)
In punching, the elbow is straightened and the forearm extended. Striking with the hand involves bending and straightening the elbow.
Main Points
1. Snapping of the Elbow: With the elbow as the pivotal point, the forearm moves as though one is drawing a semicircle, but swiftly and forcefully, making full use of the snap of the elbow. Relax the elbow completely, if the slightest elbow tension remains, the arm will act like a mechanical toy that needs oiling, and the technique will be ineffective.
2. Relaxing of the Shoulders: There should be no strength in the shoulder throughout the strike. If the shoulder is tense the arm may swing out without any snap.
3. Correct Path of the Movement: Snap the hand outward in a wide curve with maximum speed.
The Length of the Arc: The longer of the arc the hand travels, the stronger the strike. To maximize this arc length, straighten the elbow fully as the hand is snapped outward.
4. Rotate the forearm and hips.
5. Keeping the fist tightly clenched or the fingers of the open hand tightly closed.
(See Résumé Table Below)
TSUKI-WAZA (Punching Techniques)
TSUKI-WAZA
Punching Techniques
Punching Techniques
How To Punch
Main Points:
1. Correct Route
The shortest distance between two points (weapon and target) is a straight line, and this is a correct way to punch.
Your fist travels in a straight line when you punch. At the same time that the elbow brushes the side of the body lightly, the forearm should be rotated inward 180° (from palm-up to palm-down position) and extend the arm as if it were a spear thrust forward from the side.
2. Speed
Without great speed, the punch cannot be expected to have much effect. To maximize speed and power, withdraw the other arm as fast as possible, thus making use of the pairing of force.
3. Concentration of Power
A good punch depends on starting from a flexible posture and keeping unnecessary strength out of the punching arm. Punch smoothly but speedily. Concentrate all the power of the body as you complete the punch or at the moment of impact.
Methods of Punching
GYAKU-ZUKI (Reverse Punch)
If the left leg is in front, punch with the right fist and vice versa.
This is primarily for counterattacking after a block but is powerful only when the rotating hips are brought into full play. The height of the hips and keeping them level is most important. Straighten the rear leg and shifting the pelvis and center of gravity forward slightly make the punch strong.
Effective practice lies in having the rotation of the hips and upper body lead the arm movement.
OI-ZUKI (Lunge Punch, punch with the lead arm)
From either the natural position or a front stance, move into a front stance by sliding one foot forward, punching at the same time with the fore-fist (SEIKEN) on the side of the advancing leg.
Utilize to the fullest the reaction from extending the supporting leg and from rotating the hips forward. The foot should be slid smoothly and rapidly without raising the heel.
Oi-Zuki is effective when the opponent is at farther than ordinary distance.
Oi-Zuki can be more devastating than Gyaku-Zuki.
NAGASHI-ZUKI (Flowing Punch)
This can be executed from the half-front-facing position (HANMI) by stepping diagonally either forward or backward at a 45° angle to the opponent. Power comes from hip rotation as your body move diagonally forward or backward. It is especially effective for a combined block-attack.
KIZAMI-ZUKI (Jab)
Without moving the front leg, jab by forcefully straighten the arm, using hip rotation and rear leg thrust for power.
It can be decisive, but more often it is use as a diversionary tactic (to keep the opponent off balance) to be followed by a reverse punch (Gyaku-Zuki), a lung punch (Oi-Zuki), or other finishing blow (one-two punch).
REN-ZUKI (Alternate Punch)
Punch alternately with the left and right fists, using either lunch punch or reverse punch (two or three times).
DAN-ZUKI (Consecutive Punch)
Punch repeatedly with the same fist by bending and extending the elbow rapidly.
MOROTE-ZUKI (Two-hand Punch)
Punch simultaneously with both fists, either the same level (Heiko-Zuki, Hasami-Zuki) or different level, one above the other (Awase-Zuki, Yama-Zuki).
Résumé Table: TSUKI-WAZA (Punching Techniques)
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